WALES’ management have conducted an extensive inquiry into why the side started like a rusty Ford Fiesta on a damp winter’s morning against Ireland… and are still bewildered.

A sluggish opening is a recurring theme in their eight-match losing run and allowing the Irish to gallop into a 30-3 lead at the Millennium Stadium last weekend ultimately rendered the side’s second-half fightback futile.

Yet the management team could only come up with a collective shrug of their shoulders yesterday as to the reasons why the side remain glued to their blocks.

The frank admission hardly inspires confidence in Rob Howley and his faltering coterie as they attempt to turn around a losing run stretching back eight months in France on Saturday.

It is, though, reflective of the sense of bewilderment within the Wales squad as they try to put their finger on how a Grand Slam-winning team could fall to earth with such a thump in the space of a season that legend Barry John fears they could end up with the wooden spoon

We’ve done a bit of digging into it but nothing obvious has presented itself

Backs coach Mark Jones

The inquest so far seems no further to finding any reason for Saturday’s horror show.

“We’ve done a bit of digging into it but nothing obvious has presented itself,” admitted backs coach Mark Jones.

“We are working on it constantly, but it’s not an easy fix. It’s a matter of time, really.”

The coaching staff have even resorted to going to the team for their thoughts, to little avail.

“We asked the players if there was anything they would like us to change before kick-off but they said they were happy with everything,” added Jones.

“We focused on a fast start. We only have two matches at home and put huge emphasis on the first half of the first one, so there was huge disappointment and frustration.

“The players are very clear about how they want to start the game and one of the issues is accuracy around the ball.” The emphasis on the players is instructive. A side on such a slide need direct input from the top and Wales clearly are not receiving enough of it.

The void left by the loss of head coach Warren Gatland to the Lions is palpable. Jones, seconded from the Scarlets, is on board because of Gatland’s absence, taking over Howley’s role with the backs. He has an important job this week, not least in restoring the confidence of centre Jonathan Davies, who endured an awful afternoon against the Irish, twice passing directly into touch.

“Jon accepts that some of his passing was very disappointing,” said Jones. “He is not a natural passer. He is very athletic, fast and is an excellent defender.

“He works very hard on the handling side of the game as he knows that is the biggest area he can improve on.”

Sam Warburton is tackled by Ireland's Rory Best

Meanwhile, the most talented ball player in the Wales squad, Perpignan’s James Hook, remains a bit-part bench operative. While Hook can play anywhere in the back line, including outside-centre, Wales view him primarily as a fly-half. But those who would like to see him installed at No10 instead of Dan Biggar will be disappointed when the team is named tomorrow. “Dan has been the form No10 this season as far as I’m concerned,” said Jones.

“If some of our French-based players play then France will know their strengths and weaknesses. That obviously comes into the selection equation.”

Howley and his coaches are under attack from the outside but when they sit down to pick the team for Paris, they will do so in the comforting knowledge that they retain the support of their pilloried players.

“We’ve been given everything we need. We are as prepared as we could possibly be. It’s our mistakes,” said full-back Leigh Halfpenny.

“We’re desperate for a win and when we get one, things will turn around quickly. We are still defending champions and that means something. We need to play like defending champions and show what the red jersey means to us this weekend.” ‘The void left by absent Gatland is palpable’